He very much had his jumping ‘L-Plates’ on as he galloped and leaped around Pakenham on Sunday, but Budd Fox’s class told over his rivals as he outlasted to take out the ECycle Solutions Maiden Hurdle, with The Bool now beckoning for the five-year-old gelding.
Whether that is over the jumps or on the flat remains to be seen, but regardless Budd Fox is Bool bound for their epic three-day Carnival.
It was a masterful ride by experienced campaigner Steve Pateman who used every bit of his skill and knowledge to navigate the hurdles, often giving Budd Fox plenty of room to jump each obstacle given it was his first time over them under race conditions. Those punters who took the $1.30 would have had some nervous moments in the home straight, but the son of Foxwedge always had the superior fitness and class edge on his rivals and it told late.
“He did a good job to get his maiden out of the way today,” Henry said post-race.
“We weren’t 100% sold on going to the (jumps) races with him just quite yet, but he jumped so well the other day (in a trial) that we thought this would be a good chance to get his maiden out of the way and as it turns out it was.
“His jumping still left a little bit to be desired, but it was his first time over them under race conditions and that will improve over time with practice and experience.
“It was a slowly run race which didn’t suit him today, he came off the bridle at the 400 metre mark and had to dig deep to chase them and navigate a couple of jumps, so he has done a good job and will be much better for it,” said Henry.
Budd Fox will enjoy another trial over the jumps on Friday if he pulls up well, which will dictate whether he runs in the Champion Novice Hurdle on Thursday of the Warrnambool Carnival or runs in the 2350 metre Benchmark 78 on the flat on the Tuesday.
“Under the pressure today he showed he just not quite there yet, so we might need more practice before going back to the jumps (races), but we will see how he pulls up and if he trials again this Friday,” Henry said.
Jockey Steve Pateman has ridden many champions over his career and while Budd Fox has a long way to go to get near any of those, Sunday was a step in the right direction.
“He went terrific, it was a bit like another trial for him today and he will benefit a lot from the experience,” said Pateman.
“He stays really well, he will get beyond two miles no worries, so he’s got an exciting future.
“He is careful over the jumps, which is better than the alternative, and he did a really good job today.
Budd Fox’s connections are Bool bound in 2021, but with a promising future over the hurdles in sight, the road trip to Warrnambool to plunder some riches might be on the cards annually moving forward.